Enzymatic treatment as an alternative to carbonization of disperse/reactive dyed polyester-cotton blends

Abstract

Polyester-cotton fabrics having different blend proportions were dyed with various disperse, reactive and disperse/reactive combination dyes and then treated with cellulase enzyme as an alternative to carbonization. This resulted in the removal of reactive dyed cotton portion of the blends, thereby altering the λ_max towards disperse dye. The trend of the enzymatic action was almost similar for all the blends, irrespective of cotton content. In case of cotton-rich blends, the traces of cotton were found after the normal enzyme treatment. This was revealed on comparing the results with those of carbonized samples. The fabrics were, therefore, given more severe enzymatic treatment to remove the traces of cellulose. It has been found that severe enzymatic treatment can provide all alternative to carbonization and that it is fully eco-friendly process. A controlled dose of enzyme can be used in the correction of shades for disperse/reactive dyed polyester-cotton blends.